Understanding Grace

On Easter, we sat down to the traditional family meal; ham, potatoes, green beans, etc.  I was the last one to make it to the table, and while I'm still up I can hear my mom trying to explain to Sara that she can't eat yet cause we have to say grace.

We're not a super religious family, so we only say grace about 3 times a year on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  I have taken Sara to a couple of church services, but it just isn't something that's at the fore front of our lives.

With that said, when I walk into the dining room my mom is trying to explain to Sara what grace is.  And you can tell by the look on Sara's face, she isn't getting it at all.

So I go to sit down in my car, and what does my daughter say...

"Mommy, you can't sit there!  That chair's for Grace."

After a nice laugh, we actually say grace while holding hands.  Sara just understands she has to hold hands and close her eyes, which she doesn't do.  I know cause I was praying with one eye open and she's just staring around the table at all of us like we're crazy, but she is holding hands.

After my mom says grace, and we all say Amen (except Sara), we tell her its okay to start eating.  And she says, (in true Sara style)...

"Meme (what she calls my mom), we can't eat yet.  Grace still isn't here!"

I guess I need to work on that one before the next holiday rolls around.

Happy Easter!

I would like to wish everyone a very happy Easter!  I hope the Easter Bunny brought you lots of eggs and candy.

I know that Easter is about being with family and celebration, but I thought there wasn't any harm in a little humor either.

Enjoy that chocolate bunny!

Major Improvements!!

At 6 months old they told us Sara would never walk, and probably never crawl.  They hadn't even diagnosed her yet, and they were already talking about how limited her mobility and life would be.  It broke my heart to know that my daughter would always have to struggle to do lots of things the rest of us take for granted each day.

I made it my personal mission to give Sara as much mobility as possible, including taking her to tons of PT appointments and working with specialist to make her custom shoes and a wheelchair so she could get around on her own.

I woke up today to something totally new!  Sara got out of her bed by herself and came to find me.  It was the first time she'd ever gotten out of bed herself; usually I lift her out each morning.  And then when we got home today, another amazing sight.  See for yourself...

I know that I have posted video of Sara walking before...when she was just learning.  You can see that video here.  And look at her now!  I can't believe it!  I can't tell you how proud I am of her.  And I'm so glad that she did it on her own.  She told me she wanted to do it, so she did it!  I love that when she decides she wants something she goes for it.  She'll need that winning attitude all her life to over come whatever it is that life and her NF have to throw at her.

Sara says...

Saturday we were driving in the car...

Sara said, "Mommy, when I'm grown up like you I can drive your car."

I said, "When you're 16 you can get your license and then, yes, you can drive my car."

Sara said, "But I can't be 16."

I said, "Yes, some day you'll be 16."

Sara said, "No mommy!  I can't be that old...I don't have that many fingers!"

Ah, 4 year old logic!  Priceless!

No More Naps??

I think we have reached a new milestone for Sara...no more naps!  For the last two weeks I haven't been able to get her to sleep much before 10pm or 10:30pm.  She takes a nap at daycare, and those are the nights we have problems.  Last weekend I didn't give her a nap either day, and no issues with bed time (which is usually 8pm or so). 

I'm really torn over how to feel about this.  First of all its another sign that she's growing up way to fast!  It means that I won't get a couple hours in the middle of the day on weekends to get things done without "help".  It means no down time for mommy when there aren't lots of things to do (like that ever happens).

But on the flip side, it means no more scheduling events around when nap time is suppose to be.  It means a child who is far less cranky when she misses her nap.  And it means that her independence is growing, which I think is a great thing. 

I'm waiting to see if the pattern continues for another week, but my guess is by the end of the month I will be telling the daycare that a nap is no longer required for her.  Now if I couldn't only get her potty trained (but that might require medical intervention)!

Making Progress!

Today is day 9, and I'm happy to report that our tray of dirt is now really looking like a mini garden.  Everything has sprouted at least a couple of seedlings except for the bell peppers.  Not sure what's up with them when everybody else is growing like bad weeds.

See for yourself!

I was really excited that we might be moving them outside soon since it was 80 here yesterday.  I spent all afternoon working on the area I'm planning to transplant them all too.  But then today we woke up to cold temperatures and snow!  Go figure!  Colorado weather strikes again!  I still have quite a bit to do yet to get the garden outside ready, but I'm really excited to get them out there and watch them grow yummy veggies!